Antarctic Peninsula Adventure: Ioffe

Duration: 11 days

Early Bird! Receive a US$1000 flight credit for selected 2018/19 voyages. Contact us for details.

from A$11750

The voyage aboard the Akademik Ioffe ticks all of the boxes for an Antarctic experience - superb wildlife encounters, historic sites, jaw dropping scenery, glaciers as far as the eye can see and icebergs the size of city office blocks. Throw in a visit to a scientific research station, a wonderful lecture series onboard, our friendly expedition team and a night camping and you have all the makings of a wonderful holiday to the frozen continent

Itinerary Highlights

Cross the Drake Passage and visit the South Shetland Islands along the way to the Antarctic Peninsula

Witness an abundance of wildlife over your entire journey.

Opportunity to have another unique experience and camp on Antarctica!

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina

Day 2-3: Drake Passage

Day 4-7: Antarctic Peninsula

Day 8: South Shetland Islands & Deception Island

Day 9-10: Drake Passage & Cape Horn

Day 11: Ushuaia

Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina

Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s most southerly city, where you
board your expedition ship. In the early evening we set sail along the
Beagle Channel and push out into the Drake Passage, direction
Antarctica.

Day 2-3: Drake Passage

Giant petrels, albatross and smaller Cape petrels are our companions as
we transit the Drake Passage. Join the ship’s Captain on the bridge and
learn about the operations of our modern research vessel. Throughout the
day our onboard experts educate us with a series of presentations about
the environment, wildlife and history.

Day 4-7: Antarctic Peninsula

Take a deep breath – you have arrived. This is Antarctica.
The waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula are home to deep bays, pristine
coves and inlets and numerous small islands. The Gerlache coastline
features heavily glaciated mountains permanently covered in ice and
snow. Rocky outcrops are home to gentoo, adelie and chinstrap penguin
rookeries and the waters are rich in marine life. We frequently
encounter seals, including the powerful leopard seal, usually found
hauled out on an ice floe. Curious humpback whales and the smaller minke
whales are present much of the time as they feed on the vast schools of
krill. Sightings of orca are not uncommon.

Our activity program is in full swing and we encourage all guests to
choose how their adventure unfolds. Every day we plan an exciting range
of activities, including guided hikes on shore (both short and long),
visits to wildlife colonies with our expert naturalist guides, as well
as Zodiac cruising. The historic huts and science stations located along
the Antarctic Peninsula provide a fascinating glimpse into the past and
the present. Zodiac cruising among the ice, searching for seals and
whales is a memorable activity.
Meanwhile, our sea kayakers may range several miles from the ship
experiencing Antarctica from an entirely different perspective. Our
resident photography guide will be on hand to help you with your camera
handling and image composition. Maybe what you really want to do is sit
on a rock, simply watching the penguins come and go from the water.

Day 8: South Shetland Islands - Deception Island

After several busy days of exploration along the Antarctic Peninsula, we
head for the South Shetland Islands. The adventure is not over and, if
the weather conditions allow, we sail the ship into the flooded volcanic
caldera at Deception Island. This is a very dramatic location. History
is all around us as we explore the old whaling station.

On a sunny day,
cruising along the pristine coast of Livingston Island is a memorable
experience.
There are several other landing sites in the vicinity including Half
Moon Island, and the broad pebbly beach at Yankee Harbour, where we
often encounter Weddell seals sunning themselves.

Day 9-10: Drake Passage & Cape Horn

As we make our way back to South America, the educational presentations continue and we enjoy an entertaining and memorable voyage recap by our Expedition Leader. If weather conditions allow, we hope to make a rounding of Cape Horn. It’s a fitting place to reflect on a wonderful expedition. Approaching the entrance to the Beagle Channel in early evening light, we enjoy a special dinner attended by the Captain of the ship.

Day 11: Ushuaia, Argentina

In the early morning, we arrive into Ushuaia. It is time to say farewell to your crew and fellow travelers. Guests will be transported to their hotels or to the airport for return flights home.

Departs - Selected dates (listed below)

SHIP CABINS: AKADEMIK IOFFE

Main Deck Triple Share

Located on Deck 3 these cabins have an upper and two
lower beds. One of the lower beds can convert to a sofa during the day.
Facilities are shared. There is a washbasin with cold/hot water in the cabin, a
writing desk/chair, in-room clock radio with Ipod connector kit, and ample
storage space. These cabins have portholes.

Additional features and amenities:

Bathrobes

Twin Semi-Private

Located on Deck 4 these cabins have two lower berths (one
which can convert to a sofa during the day), a writing desk, in-room clock
radio with Ipod connector kit and ample storage. Facilities are semi-private
(one bathroom between two cabins). All cabins have a window which opens.

Additional
features and amenities:

Toiletry kit

Hairdryer

Coffee/tea maker

Bathrobes

Twin Private

These cabins are located on Decks 4 and 5. All cabins
have two lower berths, a writing desk/chair, in-room clock radio with Ipod
connector kit and ample storage. Facilities are private and all cabins have a
window.

Additional features and amenities:

Toiletry kit

Hairdryer

Coffee/tea maker

Bathrobes

Superior

Located on Deck 6 these cabins have two lower berths, a
sofa, a writing desk/chair, in-room clock radio with Ipod connector kit and
ample storage. Facilities are private and all cabins have a window that can be
opened.

Additional features and amenities:

Toiletry kit

Hairdryer

Coffee/tea maker

Vanity kit

Bathrobes

Upgraded bed linen/duvets

Shackleton Suite

These cabins are located on Deck 4 and 5. All cabins have one queen sized double berth in separate sleeping quarters. The sofa in the
main section of the cabin can convert to a bed making these cabins suitable for
a group of three. There is a writing desk/chair, a comfortable arm chair. An
Ipad with polar literature, documentaries and movies and webmail access, a
sound system with IPod/MP3 player connectivity. There is also and Ipod
dock/alarm clock. Facilities are private and all cabins have windows, which can
be opened.

Additional features and amenities:

Upgraded bed linen/duvets

CD player/mini stereo system with connection for
Ipod/mp3 player

Use of our CD selection

Mini bar/ice bucket

Hairdryer

Capsule coffee machine & tea maker

Toiletry kit

Vanity kit

Organic cotton luxury logoed bathrobes

Arrival gift basket with healthy snacks and a
bottle of wine

Binoculars and wildlife reference book

Complimentary web mail account

Complimentary use of an expedition ‘Sea Line’
dry-bag for the duration of the voyage

One Ocean Suite

Located on Deck 5 this cabin has a double berth in
separate sleeping quarters with up-graded bedding. In the main section of this
cabin, there is a sofa which can convert to a single bed, a large writing
desk/chair, several arm chairs, an Ipad with polar literature, documentaries
and movies, IPod Dock Alarm Clock and IPod Speaker System for main room.
Facilities are private and have a shower and bathtub. This cabin has windows
overlooking the both the bow and to the portside of the ship, which can be
opened.

Additional features and amenities:

Upgraded bed linen/duvets

Use of our CD selection

Mini bar/refrigerator

Hairdryer

Toiletry and Vanity kit

Capsule coffee machine + tea maker

Organic cotton luxury logoed bathrobes

Arrival gift basket with healthy snacks and a
bottle of wine

Binoculars and wildlife reference book

CD player/mini stereo system with connection for
Ipod/mp3 player

Complimentary webmail account

Complimentary use of an expedition ‘Sea Line’
dry-bag for the duration of the voyage

SHIP DECK PLAN: AKADEMIK IOFFE

Ship Information

Designed for polar research, the Akademic Ioffe is modern,
comfortable, safe and ice-strengthened. From small group sessions to
briefings for all passengers, we have public spaces onboard the ship
ideally suited for each and every need. A separate bar and lounge, as
well as a library provide ideal places to sit and relax or catch up on
some reading. A selection of movies and documentaries can also be
watched in the lounge.

Enjoy the sumptuous meals prepared for you by our culinary team in
our dining room, which can host all clients in a single seating with
ample room. Other facilities include the theatre style presentation
room, gift-shop, fitness room, massage room, sauna and plunge pool.

What's included?

All transfers to/from airport, hotel and ship on the day of embarkation and disembarkation

All meals throughout the voyage

Scheduled shore excursions and Zodiac landings

Leadership of experienced expedition leaders and naturalist staff

Overnight camping (subject to weather conditions)

Expedition gear package*

Comprehensive pre-voyage information package

Port fees and access permits

What's not included?

Air transportation

Passport, visa, immigration fees

Airport taxes

Additional hotel nights

Optional activities**

Travel protection plan

Alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages

Laundry service

Gratuities

Any items not listed as included

Notes

*Expedition gear package

Included in the expedition, you will have free use of essential gears needed for the trip. This package includes quality waterproof/windproof jacket, bib-pants, insulated rubber boots, and a set of binoculars.